The world is 120 miles by 90 miles.
The population is about 1 million.
Or think all those who live in Idumea and the surrounding villages.
Because the Chairman and Administrators make sure no one wants to leave.
Especially a nosy army captain and a pushy school teacher who dream of exploring, even though the world is out to get them.

Perrin and Mahrree, now marked for elimination by the Guarders, would appreciate some inside information. The forest agrees and is sending in Shem Zenos, a charismatic soldier happy to tend the Shins' children, and anything that needs helping. Which leaves Mal wondering--who's this "Quiet Man" and just who is he helping?

Captain Perrin Shin and teacher Mahrree Peto have to unravel the secrets of the Guarders who attack their village. It's not as if the new Administrators are helping much. In fact, one might think Chairman Mal was behind it all. But that would mean the world was literally out to get them, and why would two inconsequential people in Edge be of interest to the Chairman of the world?

Lt. Col. Shin isn't happy--about Guarders turning teens into thieves, nor about his children turning into teenagers. The whole world's shifting, with Mal tightening his control, yet no one except Perrin, Mahrree, and Shem seem to notice.
When disaster hits Idumea and his mother insists he return, Perrin's not sure what's worse: facing the government he hates, or taking his family along to Idumea.

The problem with everyone, Perrin concluded, was that they couldn't see what he did.
Shem said his mind was confusing him. Mahrree said it was nightmares. His children said nothing. But he knew he was surrounded by Guarders, masquerading as cats.
But an army is also assembling--in the forests and wearing green and brown--because they have their own plans for the wounded falcon in the barn.

Since Mahrree publicly denounced the Administrators, and Perrin resigned the army in protest, the world’s been shunning them.
Until it could bring them to trial.
Time’s running out, and there’s nowhere in the world they can hide.
That’s when two people, in dark mottled clothing, tell them about somewhere out of the world . . .
And Peto decides his parents are running into a trap.

It's been twenty-five years since the Shins and Briters escaped from Edge, and nothing in the world is the same except for an old story about Colonel Shin's betrayal by his wife and sergeant major.
They ignore the story, but their 18-year-old grandson, intrigued by the world, the tales, and even General Lemuel Thorne, has a hard time letting it go.